Special Membership Categories

ALA offers three special membership categories that help acknowledge a strong commitment to libraries and the profession on the part of members:

Continuing membership is available to retired members who have completed 25 or more years of unbroken membership. ALA confers this free lifetime membership in thanks for a career-long commitment to libraries through membership support.

Honorary membership is the highest honor bestowed by the American Library Association on members and citizens in thanks for extraordinary support for libraries and the mission of the Association.

Life membership is available to anyone regardless of age or previous length of membership. Life members make a commitment through purchasing this special membership and ALA makes affordable dues payment plans available to make it an easier choice.